Barry Pepper to co-star in 'Lois Wilson Story'

Production starts this week in Toronto; the longform will air later this season on CBS.

Movie is based on the true story of Lois Wilson, the co-founder of Al-Anon, and her relationship with alcoholic husband Bill Wilson, one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The couple enjoyed an upscale lifestyle in the 1920s, but his drinking eventually led to their downfall. Eventually, her husband became sober — but Lois Wilson still struggled with her own issues surrounding his alcoholism.

She eventually helped start Al-Anon in 1951 to assist people whose loved ones battle addiction.

E1 Entertainment is producing the movie with Hallmark Hall of Fame Prods. John Morayniss, Ira Pincus and Brent Shields are exec producing, while John Kent Harrison is the director. Telepic is based on the book by William Borchert, who also wrote the script with Camille Thomasson.

Ryder’s upcoming credits include “The Private Lives of Pippa Lee,” while Pepper was seen in “61*” and “Flags of Our Fathers.”